ASIC skit

Agree with Lead balloon and YPJT, waste of time and energy, look at Hong Kong, millions on the streets and in the end likely a lot of people will get hurt. Unfortunately the Bureaucrats have us by the short and curlies and there's not much that we can do about it. Logical argument and facts do no good, too much money going into too many pockets. Short of catching the brown paper bag being handed over, corruption, especially the so called 'Soft' corruption that is rampant in Australia is very difficult to prove, without some sort of judicial enquiry and I can't see that happening. There's just not enough of us to influence anybody in government that the cost of such an enquiry would be justified. the axiom, Money talks [email protected]#t walks, was ever thus. Can anyone imagine CAsA agreeing that they are incapable of writing clear, concise and effective legislation? Can anyone imagine the government agreeing that the so called 'privatisation' of aviation infrastructure has done nothing but create massive parasitic monopolies, or opened the way for development sharks to siphon huge amounts of money to foreign climes, with very little being spent on improving aviation infrastructure? Can anyone imagine government admitting that aspects of their security program are nothing but a very expensive sideshow?

This whole ripoff, farcical ASIC process is easily fixed. Simply require all pilot and licensed engineers to undergo a 'once off' fit & proper person assessment. Any subsequent criminal acts would be notifiable and the FPP could be withdrawn. Ergo, if you are naughty, no more licence. Entry to secure areas would then only require the FPP to carry his/her licence and some other acceptable photo ID, such as a passport or driver's licence. Works just fine in NZ.

Re civil disobedience - it could be effective if done en-mass. If everyone agreed to turn up for duty on a given date (having duly notified the authorities of that date) sans ASIC, but with other proper ID and their licences, what would likely happen? Aviation may cease temporarily, government would be forced to intervene and a process as described above could be fast tracked.

Cats would be easier to organise than pilots. Government is another matter. There are ways to bring petty bureaucrats to heel. Hopefully, somewhere amongst this current mob would be a Minister with the cojones to reign in the ASIC Empire if they shut down aviation for wont of a pissy little plastic card.

But sadly we know the collective for pilots.... A 'whinge'. That is all most of them do. So, you are right, the ASIC will remain a pox on all of us.

Any subsequent criminal acts would be notifiable and the FPP could be withdrawn. Ergo, if you are naughty, no more licence.

That's how ASICs already work.

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what would likely happen?

The authorities will not let you in. They don't want a fine or penalty either. Then you can't turn up for work and your employer sacks you. It is not the controlling authorities problem you are not wearing your ASIC. It is not your company's problem you are not wearing your ASIC. If you do get in, then you get a fine. The world won't stop. You'll just end up owing money.

All true if individuals go it alone. But if several thousand commercial pilots and a similar number of LAMEs gave notice of intent to engage in ‘civil disobedience’ (for want of a better word) and showed resolve in carrying it out, the ASIC could be made to go away (for licensed personnel at least), or the process made much less onerous. Unlike 1989, we are at a sweet spot in the employment cycle where pilots can not be replaced in large numbers, so mass sackings would not occur. There was a time when Aussies had a reputation for challenging and even disobeying authority when they thought it idiotic. Not any more. We are law abiding to the point of mindlessness. So, this thread has degenerated into another futile whinge about our aviation security system, along with all the other whinges about big bad CASA.

The Kiwi card application process is relatively simple, costs a mere $60 and is good for three years. Also, there are many airports where it is not necessary, so many pilots get by without it. Compare with our own ASIC.........

Location: QLD - where drivers are yet to realise that the left lane goes to their destination too.

Posts: 2,106

However at the airports where you are required to have and display one, the systems are basically the same, so the assertion that the NZ ID system is different is not correct. Like Australia, you are required to have and display an ID card if at a Security Designated Airport. The difference is that NZ only has 5 of them (effectively international ops, or RPT aircraft with 90 or more seats). The problem in Aus is not the ID system, it is the over zealous categorisation of airports and operations for security purposes.

I have been refused airside access (while working) to an airport, despite possessing and displaying a valid AUS ASIC, simply because I didn't have a separate ID card for that specific airport. What a great system and a great use of $250.

Location: QLD - where drivers are yet to realise that the left lane goes to their destination too.

Posts: 2,106

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I have been refused airside access

An ASIC is not an access card. It is purely a government sanctioned ID card issued for a specific purpose. If an Airport has separate access or ID requirements, then so be it. Just because you hold an AUS ASIC doesn't mean you can go wherever and do whatever you like.

Location: QLD - where drivers are yet to realise that the left lane goes to their destination too.

Posts: 2,106

I don't make the rules, champ. I just follow them like everyone else.

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Should also be noted that only possessing an ASIC was justification enough to enter other airside areas of this airport

No, it's not the justification. Your authorisation from the owner or controller of the place and having a lawful reason to be there was the justification. Possessing and displaying an ASIC is a condition of entry. Just because you have an ASIC does not mean you have access.